Sleeping car



April 25, 1939. E. J. w. RAGSDALE ET, AL 2,156,229

' SLEEPING CAR Filed April 10, 1957 3 Sheets-Shgset 1 INVENTORSATTORNEY.

April 25, 1939. E. J. w. RAGSDALE ET AL 2,156,229

' SLEEPING CAR I v Filed April 10, 1937- 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 (Tl! l I Ill mmllm "mun ml iii" V mm mm C MM mm Ulli l mmmlwuuumuw v INVENTORS. Earl Jmflqgsdale Joseph lit lazy f4 fit/ 0 ATTORNEY.

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April 1939- E. J. w. RAGsDAL ET AL 7 6,229-

SLEEPING' CAR Filed April 10; 1957 s Sheets-Sheet s ATTORNEY.

. ments and more particularly to the construction Patented. Apr. 25',1.939:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.-

smisrm can I Earl. J. W. Randale, Norrlatown, and .loaephl Clary,Bala-Oynwyd,. Pa., assignors to Edward G. Budd Manufacturing Company,Philadelphia, a corporation of Pennsylvania v Application Apruio, 1937,Serial No. sa so 11 Claims. (c1.v 105-317) -'lhis'invention-relates tosleeping car arrangeof the upper berths adapted for use in such cars. Inthe sleeping cars'now incommon use, the

upper berthis pivoted at 'its wall edge to swing downward into asubstantially horizontal position for use, and to swing upwardly intoidle or I h stored position, in which latter position it is disposed at'an angle or inclined to the horizontal.

' One objectv of thefpresent invention is to pro-' vide an upper berthwhich, when in idle or stored I v position, is substantially horizontal,and at a'sub- .stantial height; such. height being preferably.

7 sufjflcient teenablea, passenger'to stand erect.

Furthermore, in thepresent. usual cons'tructiom .of sleeping cars,there. a're-no windows above the level of the upper berth, whereby. theoccupant is'deprived 'of light.v Moreover, the usual windows.

associated 'with the'lowerberth' do not extend up to the normal levelof; the eye of a person' standing erect, but it is necessary'fo'r apassengerto either sit or sto'op in order to lookout through .Anotherobject cf the present invention is to height above thefloor that apassenger may look out through. the same while standing erect.- .Al'so,

- by virtue ofthe fact that my improved upper berth issubstantiallyhorizontal when in its raised' or idle position, and ispreferably disposed at such a height as to permit apassenger to standuprightbeneath the same, the passenger may approach the window.structure as closely as -5 drawings, in which: j

desired, while standing erect, and may look out through that portion. ofthe window structure which is normally above the upper berth whenthesame is in position f or. use.

A further object of the invention is to provideimproved means'by whichan upper berth ma beadjusted to and securely locked in either one of twosubstantially horizontal positions, i such means'includin'g speciallydesigned wallj'" brackets in whiehth'e berth is supported.

With the aboveand other objects in view, the invention consists in theconstructionxand arrangement'of parts hereinafter {described andclaimed, and illustrated in 'the' accompanying 'f FigJl is an elevation.withpartsbroken away showinga series of sectionswiththe berths in.

various mad'e-up' conditions; Fig. 2 is a partial transverse verticalsection showing the upper berthjini lower position;

Fig.4

Fig. 34s a horizontal section with parts broken away; 7

is a longitudinal elevation of the upper. berth with the adjacentwallsin section;

5 is a longitudinal vertical cross section through the berth andadjacent wall structure;

.Fig. 6 is a transverse vertical section through a the berth;

Fi '1; is ahorizontal section through the wall structure.

. Referring to the drawings indetail, Ill desighates the usual partitionwall between the sectionsof asleepiiigcan'and l2 the outer 'wallof thecar, while J2 designates the floor. v

The outer wall 'ofthe car is shown asprovided [with a" window structurecomprising an upper window 13 and a lower window 14, separated by a wallportionl2 Shades or curtains l5, as shown in Fig. 1, may be of 'asuitable type and raised or lowered asdesired I 1 Our iinproved'supporting means for-the upper.

berth comprises two pairs of wall brackets, one

- pair being mounted on each partition wall II) .at each end "of theberth. One pair ofsuch wall brackets is shown in-Fig. 2- and thebrackets .are designated in their entirety by the reference numerals l6and H.- They are secured to the partition wall lllby means .of screwspassing through holes iG formed in the bottoin wall of the bracketsas'clearly .shown in Fig. 7.

, The bracket 16 has a slot 'l8. and the bracket H has a slot i9, eachbracket adjacentthese slots being formed as shown in Fig. 7 That is tosay, the bracket I6, for example, has' a bottom wall lfi 'and a pair ofupstanding walls Ni one at each side, the slot i8 being provided withmarginal flanges EB which overhang the space between the .walls i6. Thebracket ll, throughout the major portion of the length of the slot I9,is

similarly constructed. 'The slot it! in bracket i6 is of arcuate formthroughout substantially its whole length, and is provided at the'lowerend of the bracket with a relatively short horizontal branch se and at,the upper end-of the bracket with a sharply 45 curved portion i8terminating in a seat |8.

' Similarly the slot l9 in the bracket i1 is of arcuate form throughoutsubstantially its whole length, and has a sharply curved portion 19 atits upper end, which merges into a short horizontal portion 59. The'arcon which the main body of the slot itis formed is' struck about the uppr'curved .end iS of theslot i9, and the are on which the'slot; i9 isformed is struck about the outer' end of 'thebranch iii of the slot 18;

The berth itself is designated in its entirety by the numeral 20 andispreferablyof relatively" thin corrugated metallic framework to which a.

suitable sheathing may be secured. It carries at each side of each-end apin- 2] having-a flattened head 22, as shown in Fig.- 5. This pin isillustrated as having a threaded portion 23 set intc a block 24 carriedby the frame of the berth 20. The berth is shown as comprising side andend frames 20 and 20, of whole box section. (See Figs. 2 and 5). At therear side of the berth is an upstanding panel or extension 20 having acushioned edge adjacent the car wall. The berth is shown as provided atits front side with a suitable railing 20 The wall brackets I6 and I1are provided with openings I6 and I! through their rear walls, throughwhich openings the head 22 of the pin 2I may be inserted, the pins thenextending through the slots I8 or I9, and the head 22 working freely inthe space between the walls I6 The thickness of the head 22 issubstantially less than the depth of the channel in the brackets, sothat the head bears only against the inner surface I6 of the marginaledges of the slot and does not make contact with the inner surface II ofthe rear wall (see Fig. 5) Thus the paint or other finish applied to theinner surface II and visible through the slot I8 is not scraped orscratched by the head 22 of the pin, and thus the appearance of thebrackets is not marred.

The wall structure as shown in Fig. 7 not only includes the externalsheathing I0 which may be decorated in a suitable fashion, but suchsheathing is supported by metallic framework It having suitable spacersGI and having a restricted portion 42 to which the brackets I6 aresecured. Suitable tap-ping blocks l3 are used to reinforce therelatively thin metallic 'sections.

In order to lock the berth securely in either of its positions, weprovide locking bolts 25, mounted to slide through the blocks 2 1 ateach end of the berth at the rear side thereof, these bolts beingconnected with pull rods 26 which extend to a point midway of the lengthof the berth and are there pivoted as at 27 to a. rocking bracket 28secured to a lugged stud 29 enclosed within a socket 38 opening throughthe bottom surface of the berth. By inserting a suitable key into thesocket 30 over the stud 29 and turning it, it will be seen that thelocking bolts 25 may be moved in or out.

Formed in each bracket I I are a pair of tapered holes or sockets I9 andI9 (see Figs. 2 and 5), disposed near the upper and lower ends of thebracket respectively, and when the bolts 25 are projected outwardly,they are received in and enter these sockets, as clearly shown in Fig.5.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 2, the method of manipulating theberth to. move it from one position to another will now be described. Inthis figure the berth is shown in full lines in its lowermost oroperative position, and it will be seen that in this position the pins2| rest in the lower end of each slot, the pins at the inner or aisleside lying at the end of'the horizontal branch I8 of the slots I8.

When it is desired to move the berth to its raised or idle position, therear or wall edge is first swung upwardly into a sharp angular position,the pin 2| travelling up the arcuate slot I9, as the berth turns aboutthe pin at the end of the slot IB When the upper end of the main portionof the slot I9 is reached, the berth is shifted toward the outer wall ofthe car, one pin moving from the end of the branch slot II! to thebottom of the slot I8, and the other pin moving over the sharplycurvedportion I9 of the slot I9. The berth will come temporarily to restin this position. The inner or aisle edge is then lifted, the pins atsuch edge moving upwardly in the arcuate slots I8 as the berth pivotsabout the pins resting in the curved portions l9 of the slots I9. Theberth is moved in this way until it reaches a substantially horizontalposition. Then by a further movement the pins on the wall edges slipoutwardly to the ends of the horizontal branch slots l9, as the pins atthe aisle edge are moved around the curved portion la of the slots anddropped into the seats I8 thereof. This is the final position of theberth and is indicated in dotted lines.

Thus it will be seen that in shifting the berth from one position toanother, it is swung first about one edge and then about the other, thecomplementary arcuate slots l8 and I9 permitting this movement. Thefinal position of the berth may be described as substantiallyhorizontal, but, as shown, it is not absolutely so, since it isillustrated as inclined slightly toward the outside of the car. Thisgiven an apparent headroom slightly greater than the actual headroom asit eliminates the foreshortened appearance.

It will further be observed that the aisle edge of the berth when in itsoperative position is locked against movement by the horizontal portionsI8 of the slots, while the outer edge is locked by means of the bolts25. In its raised or idle position the outer edge of the berth is alsolocked by the bolts 25, while the inner edge is held. against accidentalmovement by the vertical portions I8 of the slots.

Referring to Fig. 1, the usual lower berth convertible seat is indicatedat 3i, 32, 33. Adjacent this seat is the usual window Id, and it will beobserved that when the berth 20 is in its operative position, it isapproximately on a level with the top of this window.

When, however, the berth is shifted to its raised or idle position, itlies at a point above the major portion of the upper window I3.Furthermore, the height of the berth from the floor, when in its idleposition, as shown in Fig. 1, is preferably such that a passenger maystand upright beneath the same and may look out through the window l3.Also the passenger may walk freely between the seats 3! constituting thelower berth up to a point closely adjacent the windows.

Thus not only does the upper window I3 afford unobstructed vision to apassenger standing in the aisle or in the space between the seats 3| andbeneath the upper berth 20, but it also serves to admit additional lightinto the lower berth space.

At the same time, when the berth 20 is in position for occupancy, thewindow I3 lies entirely above the same, thus affording light and visionto the occupant.

The berth 20, in its upper or idle position is especially suitable,during the idle period, for the temporary storage of coats, luggage,etc., and the curtain I5 may be closed to enhance the appearance of thecar.

It is also to be understood that the upper berth 20 may be maintained inits upper, idle position, even when the lower is occupied if thepassenger should desire the entire section. This eliminates the closecramped feeling of the lower berth.

While we have shown preferred forms of embodiment of our invention, weare aware that other modifications may be made thereto and we desire abroad interpretation of our invention within the scope and spirit of thedisclosure herein and of the claims appended hereinafter.

What we claim is:

1. In a sleeping car of the class described, a

2. In a sleeping car of the class described, a

sleeper section having a convertible lower berth construction and anupper berth including a tray-like member suporting bedding, securingmeans extending from its respective end portions and fixed guidescooperating therewith, said upper berth being movable in said guides todifferent elevated substantially horizontal positions with the same sideof the tray member uppermost, said berth in its uppermost position beingaccessible for the storage of luggage, etc.

3. In a sleeping car having a sleeping section, a plurality ofvertically arranged berth constructions in said section and an upperwindow and a lower window having a horizontal wall portion between themat the outer wall of said section, the upper of said berth constructionsbeing movable to a substantially horizontal elevated position above bothof said windows but a substantial distance below the top of the section,

when not used as a bed, and being movable to a position substantially inalignment with the horizontal wall portion between the windows when inoperative position for use as a bed.

4. In a sleeping car having a sleeper section, a plurality of verticallyarranged berth constructions in said section and an upper window and alower window having a horizontal wall portion between them at the outerwall of said section, the upper of said berth constructions beingmovable to a substantially horizontal elevated position above both ofsaid windows but a substantial distance below the top of the sectionleaving a substantial space above it for storage when not used as a bed,and being movable to a position substantially in alignment with thehorizontal wall portion between the windows, said berth constructionhaving means projecting from the wall side thereof cooperating with thehorizontal wall portion between the windows to substantially seal saidberth construction with respect to said wall portion when in the loweroperative position for use as a bed.

5. The combination with an adjustable berth, of a pair of supportingbrackets at each end thereof, each bracket of a pair having asubstantially vertical arcuate slot, the center of curvature of eachsuch slot lying at a point adjacent one end of the other, and pinscarried by said berth and working in said slots, the upper end of eachslot being sharply curved over to provide locking seats for said pins,said pins and slots being arranged to permit the movement of the berthwhile the pins are engaged with the slots from a lower operativeposition to an upper inoperative position without reversing the same.

6. The combination with an adjustable berth,

of a pair of supporting brackets at each end thereof, each bracket of apair having a substantially vertical arcuate slot, one such slot havinga horizontal branch at its lower end, and the other such slot having ahorizontal branch at its upper end, the center of curvature of one ofsaid arcuate slots lying at the end of the horizontal branch of theother, and pins carried by said berth and working in said slots, saidpins and slots being arranged to permit the movement of the berth whilethe pins are engaged with the slots from a lower operative position toan upper inoperative position without reversing the same.

7. The combination with an adjustable berth, of i a pair of supportingbrackets at each end thereof, each bracket of a pair having asubstantially vertical arcuate slot, one such slot having a horizontalbranch at its lower end, and the center of curvature of the-other suchslot lying at the end of said horizontal branch, and pins carried bysaid berth and working in said slots, said pins and slots being arrangedto permit the movement of the berth while the pins are engaged with theslots from a lower operative position to an upper inoperative positionwithout reversing the same.

8. The combination with a vertically adjustable berth movable from alower operative position to an upper inoperative position and having apair of pins projecting from each end thereof, a pair of brackets ateach end having slots in which said pair of pins slide, said slotshaving end formations serving to hold the pins in either one of twopositions to which they may be shifted and means in addition to saidslots for positively locking said berth in either of its adjustedpositions, said pins and slots being arranged to permit the movement ofthe berth to and from either of its positions without reversing it. p

9. The combination with a vertically adjustable berth having a pair ofpins projecting from each end thereof, a pair of brackets at each endhaving slots in which said pair of pins slide, and a pair of lockingbolts projecting from opposite ends of said berth adjacent one side, onebracket of each pair having sockets adjacent the ends of said slots toreceive said bolts, whereby said berth may be locked in either one oftwo positions, the pins and slots being arranged to permit the movementof the berth to and from said positions without reversing the same.

10. In combination with a plurality of walls, a berth supportedtherefrom, said berth having a plurality of projecting members and fixedguides on the walls cooperating therewith, said guides having limitingslots of hook shape to form fixed stops whereby said berth may be movedinto and locked in either of two substantially horizontal elevatedpositions without reversing the same.

11. In a sleeping car of the class described a sleeper section having aconvertible lower berth construction and an upper berth including aframe supporting bedding, supporting means extending from the respectiveend portions of said berth and fixed guides cooperating therewith, saidupper berth being movable in said guides without reversing to differentelevated substantially horizontal positions with the same sideuppermost.

EARL J. W. RAGSDALE. JOSEPH F. CLARY.

